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SBS Australia
09-05-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Midday News Bulletin 9 May 2025
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with . TRANSCRIPT: Australian Catholics react to the election of a new Pope; India and Pakistan accuse each other of a spate of drone attacks as tensions continue to escalate; Los Angeles launches a beautification program ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Australian Catholic community has welcomed the election of the new Pope, American Cardinal Robert Prevost who will be now known as Leo the fourteenth. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has said the new pontiff is known for being approachable and willing to listen. Catholic Social Services Australia executive director Jerry Nockles says Pope Leo's appointment has come at a critical time when the world is yearning for compassionate leadership. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has released a statement inviting the pontiff to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, and declaring his government will continue its strong relationship with the Holy See. "This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere. May the papacy of Pope Leo the fourteenth advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity." Religious researchers say the swift election of the new pope could be a promising sign for unity within the Church as it moves forward. 69 year old American Robert Prevost - now known as Pope Leo the fourteenth - was selected after just four rounds of voting. The new pontiff is seen as being aligned with the progressive values of the former Pope Francis. But President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago Barbara Reid says it is unusual to elect a cardinal from a country with major secular influence, and she and her colleagues were surprised. "We didn't think that the cardinal electors would lean toward choosing an American, but of course Pope Leo XIV, as Father John just said, has the heart of a Peruvian as well and has deeply endeared himself to the church in Latin America and has exercised his ministry these last several years on behalf of the whole world church while he's been in Rome." India and Pakistan are accusing each other of a spate of drone attacks, as the neighbouring countries enter a third day of strikes and reprisals. Pakistan's army says it has shot down 28 Indian drones, while New Delhi has accused Islamabad of launching raids with drones and missiles, and claimed it destroyed an air defence system in Lahore. On both sides of the conflict, waged in Kashmir, at least 48 people are dead. The fighting comes two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which Pakistan has denied. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has slammed the demotion of Ed Husic from Labor's new second term Cabinet. Mr Keating has released a statement calling Mr Husic's expulsion as the Cabinet's sole Muslim member an appalling denial of the former Industry Minister's diligence. He says it also represents a contempt for what he has described as the measured and centrist support provided by the broader Islamic community at the general election. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended Anthony Albanese's decision ahead of the Labor caucus meeting in Canberra today to endorse the new slate. "Only 30 spots are available. Inevitably there are more people who could serve as really effective ministers... And it can be tough, but we need to balance stability with renewal." Liberals M-P Sussan Ley has confirmed she is nominating to be the new leader of the Opposition party. Ms Ley has told Channel 7 she is running because the Liberals need a new approach. "It's about making sure that I am listening to my colleagues and that I demonstrate to them that we want a strong approach that includes everyone." Sussan Ley will be competing for the job against Angus Taylor and Jacinta Price - who has defected from the Nationals to the Liberals in order to bid for the top role. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie has told Sky News she is disappointed by the Senator's defection. "We're a tight team. We're a close knit team. We fought many battles together, and whilst we're strong coalitionists, we are very, very separate parties, and so it's very disappointing news." Queensland has appointed a new coroner who will focus on fatalities in the state's multi billion dollar mining sector. North Queensland barrister, Wayne Pennell, has been named to the role. Seven people have died in Queensland mines since 2022, but Natural Resources Minister Dale Last says some families have been waiting years for answers about what happened to their loved ones. Los Angeles has launched a program that it says will beautify the city ahead of the next Olympic Games in 2028, months after a series of devastating fires that reduced entire neighbourhoods to ash. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover says the Games will also be a unifying event, with these Olympics the first time the city will also host a Paralympics. ParalympIic athlete Natalia Mayara says that is an important milestone. "The LA 28 Games really has the opportunity to reshape the conversation about disabilities and really show everybody that the Paralympic Games is all about elite competition."
The Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian Catholics welcome ‘approachable' new pope in hope he will pursue peace
Australian Catholics and politicians have embraced the appointment of the new pope, Leo XIV, with many hoping he will continue his predecessor's emphasis on peace and social justice. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, offered Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV – heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Roman Catholic church in Australia. 'The Catholic Church in Australia assures Pope Leo XIV of our prayers, loyalty, and joyful anticipation of his spiritual leadership,' he said. 'May his pontificate be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message throughout the world.' Costelloe said the new pope had demonstrated his 'approachability and willingness to listen' in his previous roles as the prefect of the dicastery for bishops and as an Augustinian missionary in Peru. Catholic Social Services Australia, which represents the church's social services providers, said the pope's choice of name had 'profound significance' for Catholic social services. It evoked the legacy of Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) who articulated the church's commitment to human dignity and social justice in his encyclical Rerum Novrum. The organisation's executive director, Dr Jerry Nockles, said the pope's election came at a time when the world 'yearns for compassionate leadership grounded in the Gospel values of justice, dignity and solidarity with the vulnerable'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'At a time when Australia and indeed the world faces unprecedented social challenges – from growing inequality to escalating violence and social division – Pope Leo's election offers a beacon of hope and a powerful reminder that the Church stands firmly for peace and with those on the margins,' he said. 'His voice will undoubtedly challenge us all to build a more just and peaceful society where every person's dignity is honoured, and peace is actively pursued.' Brother Mark O'Connor, head of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of Parramatta, told Radio National he had met the new pope, describing him as a 'humble, gentle leader'. 'He's not different from Pope Francis in terms of vision, but maybe in style,' he said. 'He's more low key.' He said the Leo XIV had been to Australia and was not a fan of Vegemite but did like Tim Tams. O'Connor said expected the new pope would be 'very effective' in continuing the reform of the church in the vision of Pope Francis. It was significant that the pope's first words were about peace as well as his choice of name, he said. 'You've got to remember that Pope Leo XIII was the first pope in the modern era who actually stood on the side of the workers and social justice,' he said, 'which was really the beginnings of the church taking a much stronger stance on social justice.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Anthony Albanese offered his heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. 'This is a moment of joy and hope for Catholics all over the world,' the prime minister said. 'May God bless Pope Leo XIV and may his papacy advance the cause of peace and justice, in the service of all humanity.' The health minister, Mark Butler, described the appointment as 'terrific news', saying: 'The billion or so Catholics around the world, the one in four Australians who identify as Catholics, will be overjoyed today after a period of grieving and mourning for the much-loved Pope Francis.' The Australian Catholic University said it was a time of renewed hope and guidance. Its chancellor, Martin Daubney, said: 'We share his commitment to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity. 'We rejoice that His Holiness will continue to build on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, encouraging unity in the pursuit of a more compassionate world. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the task of leading the Catholic Church.' In a post to social media, the Australian embassy to the Holy See – which has a clear view of the Sistine Chapel chimney – wrote 'Habemus Papam!' – the Latin for 'We have a new pope'. The embassy hosted a 'conclave watch' event waiting for the white smoke to emerge.
